Remote UK workers more productive but face higher anxiety

Workhuman has unveiled the latest findings from its Human Workplace Index, providing new insights into the experiences of full-time employees in the UK. The survey reveals a significant contrast in productivity and anxiety levels between remote and in-office workers.

According to the survey, a majority of employees (61%) report higher productivity when working remotely. However, this enhanced productivity comes at a cost, with 65% of fully remote workers experiencing productivity anxiety. Among those affected, 25% frequently or constantly grapple with feelings of inadequacy or pressure to perform.

Conversely, fully in-office employees report the least amount of productivity anxiety and exhibit higher levels of motivation than their remote counterparts. The survey also found that fully remote workers are 69% more likely to experience boredom compared to those in the office. Notably, hybrid workers report 31% less burnout than those who are fully in the office.

Work-life balance emerges as the most crucial element of workplace wellbeing for 86% of UK respondents. However, the high levels of productivity anxiety suggest a misalignment between employee wellbeing priorities and actual workplace conditions. The survey indicates that nearly 60% of respondents believe that recognition for their work would help alleviate productivity anxiety, with 42% citing frequent feedback from managers and colleagues as another effective remedy. These findings highlight a lack of recognition and clear communication as potential areas for improvement within the workplace.

Despite the reported benefits of remote working, nearly half of the respondents (48%) are still required to work in the office five days a week, even though 56% believe their job could be done remotely at least some of the time. This discrepancy suggests that more flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid models, could empower employees to achieve more in less time and potentially reduce feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

Niamh Graham, Senior Vice President of Global Human Experience at Workhuman, commented on the findings: "As work practices continue to evolve from the traditional 9-to-5 office model, it's understandable that employees may feel increasingly anxious about their performance and how it's being perceived. Our research shows that people working remotely feel more anxious about their productivity than their in-office counterparts."

"Employees are asking for clearer communication and acknowledgment for their contributions. Having a culture that supports recognition can help with that, as it not only reduces negative experiences but also enhances positive ones, particularly for remote employees who may feel more pressure to demonstrate they are productive while working from home."

The survey involved 1,000 full-time employees in the UK. It was commissioned by Workhuman and conducted by Pollfish to gain insights into workplace sentiment, productivity, and wellbeing.